Open Heavens 2014: Friday October 31, daily devotion by Pastor E. A. Adeboye - Divine Promotion for the Wise

Topic: Divine Promotion for the Wise [Friday October 31, 2014]

Memorise: The wise shall inherit glory: but shame shall be the promotion of fools. - Proverbs 3:35
Read: Psalm 75:5-7

    5 Lift not up your horn on high: speak not with a stiff neck. 

    6 For promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south.

    7 But God is the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another.

MESSAGE:

Divine promotion is a reward for those who live holy. God is the Judge, and only He can promote you. The devil is not the one who will promote you. There are two types of promotion according to Proverbs 3:35. These are: glory and shame. There is glorious promotion for the wise and shameful promotion for fools. Who are the wise? The Bible says that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom (Proverbs 1:7). Those who are wise fear God, and because of this, they live a holy life. They depart from sin. God says that such people will have a glorious promotion. A classical example of a wise man, who as a result of his fear of God abstained from sin, is Joseph in Egypt. He refused to have carnal knowledge of his master’s wife, though it was offered to him ‘free of charge’. In Genesis 39:9, He queried this offer saying:

    “......how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?”

The end of the story is that Joseph became the Prime Minister of Egypt. Who are fools? Fools are those who can see danger ahead and still walk into it. Fools are those who know that the wages of sin is death and yet continue to sin. Fools are those who know that the only way to get to the kingdom of God is by becoming born-again and yet they refuse salvation. Fools are those who have decided to continue living in sin, after knowing that without holiness, no man shall see God.

You must live a holy life if you want glorious promotion. God is no respecter of persons. He will never bend His standards. Promotion puts you on top. Being on top comes with very many advantages, according to Deuteronomy 28:1:

    “And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the Lord thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the Lord thy God will set thee on high above all the nations of the earth.”

God will give you divine promotion if you live holy. However, if you do not live holy, you will go down. Those who are on top enjoy it up there. Those who are below remain in suffering. I prefer being on top. When you are on top, you will get special protection. The one who is on top is special and of more value than the one who is below. Can you see how wise it is to live holy? I pray that today, the Lord will give you the grace you need to live holy for divine promotion, in Jesus’ Name.

All you need to do is to make up your mind that you will no longer live a life of sin anymore, and the Lord will help your decision.

Prayer Point: Father, put your fear in me so that I may shun evil for holy living, and grant me divine promotion this season in Jesus’ Name.

Bible in a Year: 1 Kings 19:19-21:16

Open Heavens Daily Devotional written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, one of the largest evangelical church in the world and also the President of Christ the Redeemer's Ministries.

Today's Devotion-God is Love!

By Billy Graham   •   October 30   •   Topics: God's Love

Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love . . .
—Jeremiah 31:3
As I read the Bible, I find love to be the supreme and dominant attribute of God. The promises of God’s love and forgiveness are as real, as sure, as positive, as human words can make them. But the total beauty of the ocean cannot be understood until it is seen, and it is the same with God’s love. Until you actually experience it, until you actually possess it, no one can describe its wonders to you.

Never question God’s great love, for it is as unchangeable a part of God as His holiness. Were it not for the love of God, none of us would ever have a chance in the future life. But God is love! And His love for us is everlasting.
Prayer for the day

Knowing myself as I do, Lord, the knowledge of Your love and forgiveness never ceases to amaze me. In the knowledge of this, help me to communicate to others that this love is theirs too, if they will only reach out for it. 

This Evening's Meditation By C. H. Spurgeon

"But their eyes were holden that they should not know Him."—Luke 24:16.

HE disciples ought to have known Jesus, they had heard His voice so often, and gazed upon that marred face so frequently, that it is wonderful they did not discover Him. Yet is it not so with you also? You have not seen Jesus lately. You have been to His table, and you have not met Him there. You are in a dark trouble this evening, and though He plainly says, "It is I, be not afraid," yet you cannot discern Him. Alas! our eyes are holden. We know His voice; we have looked into His face; we have leaned our head upon His bosom, and yet, though Christ is very near us, we are saying "O that I knew where I might find Him!" We should know Jesus, for we have the Scriptures to reflect His image, and yet how possible it is for us to open that precious book and have no glimpse of the Wellbeloved! Dear child of God, are you in that state? Jesus feedeth among the lilies of the word, and you walk among those lilies, and yet you behold Him not. He is accustomed to walk through the glades of Scripture, and to commune with His people, as the Father did with Adam in the cool of the day, and yet you are in the garden of Scripture, but cannot see Him, though He is always there. And why do we not see Him? It must be ascribed in our case, as in the disciples', to unbelief. They evidently did not expect to see Jesus, and therefore they did not know Him. To a great extent in spiritual things we get what we expect of the Lord. Faith alone can bring us to see Jesus. Make it your prayer, "Lord, open Thou mine eyes, that I may see my Saviour present with me." It is a blessed thing to want to see Him; but oh! it is better far to gaze upon Him. To those who seek Him He is kind; but to those who find Him, beyond expression is He dear!

Today's Devotion-Battle of the Spirit

By Billy Graham   •   October 29   •   Topics: Soul & Spirit

Let the peace of God rule in your hearts . . .
—Colossians 3:15
When we examine the problems that confront us in our world today, we find that every one of them resolves into a problem of “inner space,” a problem of the dark side of the human spirit. From thousands of letters we receive, it is evident that a large proportion of the population is facing deep personal problems. They vary from person to person, but they do exist, and they are all problems of “inner space.”

Yes, we are the people who have been conquering outer space, but are in danger of losing the battle of the spirit. But there is a solution-for millions it has already been reached-and that solution is in Jesus Christ. He said, “My peace”-my liberty, my freedom-“I give unto you” (John 14:27).

Today if we will turn the searchlight of truth on the dark side of our human spirits and let Jesus Christ become the Master Control of our lives, a new day will dawn for us. Submit the “inner space” of your life to Him.

Prayer for the day

How often I hurt deep down inside me, Lord, but the knowledge of Your love and compassion brings me hope and peace. 

 

This Morning's Meditation with C. H. Spurgeon

"I have chosen you out of the world."—John 15:19.

ERE is distinguishing grace and discriminating regard; for some are made the special objects of divine affection. Do not be afraid to dwell upon this high doctrine of election. When your mind is most heavy and depressed, you will find it to be a bottle of richest cordial. Those who doubt the doctrines of grace, or who cast them into the shade, miss the richest clusters of Eshcol; they lose the wines on the lees well refined, the fat things full of marrow. There is no balm in Gilead comparable to it. If the honey in Jonathan's wood when but touched enlightened the eyes, this is honey which will enlighten your heart to love and learn the mysteries of the kingdom of God. Eat, and fear not a surfeit; live upon this choice dainty, and fear not that it will be too delicate a diet. Meat from the King's table will hurt none of His courtiers. Desire to have your mind enlarged, that you may comprehend more and more the eternal, everlasting, discriminating love of God. When you have mounted as high as election, tarry on its sister mount, the covenant of grace. Covenant engagements are the munitions of stupendous rock behind which we lie entrenched; covenant engagements with the surety, Christ Jesus, are the quiet resting-places of trembling spirits.

"His oath, His covenant, His blood,
Support me in the raging flood;
When every earthly prop gives way,
This still is all my strength and stay."
If Jesus undertook to bring me to glory, and if the Father promised that He would give me to the Son to be a part of the infinite reward of the travail of His soul; then, my soul, till God Himself shall be unfaithful, till Jesus shall cease to be the truth, thou art safe. When David danced before the ark, he told Michal that election made him do so. Come, my soul, exult before the God of grace and leap for joy of heart.

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Higher Everyday for Monday, October 27, 2014

TITLE : YOUR HEALTH TOO 

TEXT:“Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.” (3 John 1:2)

World Health Organisation (WHO), an agency of the United Nations, based in Geneva, Switzerland, was established in 1948. Its mission is to organise and fund health-care programmes in nearly every country in the world. In collaboration with national governments and other international aid agencies, WHO works to reduce human disease, funds medical research, provides emergency aid during disasters, and aims to improve nutrition, housing, sanitation, and working conditions in developing countries? Have you really enlisted yourself in God’s health plan? Even as a youngster, you can enjoy divine health if you embrace this scheme. God in heaven has bountiful blessings for his children. God’s blessings for His people include divine health. Above all things, health and prosperity is in store for anyone who would appropriate the blessing of the cross because “with his stripes we are healed”. If you are sick, pray to God now for your healing, and you will be healed in Jesus` name.

• Challenge: Health is children’s bread too—-get yours
• Prayer:: Lord, Prosper and give me perfect health
• Further Reading:Jeremiah 33:6

Today's Devotion-True Colors

God carefully watches the goings on of all mankind . . .
—Job 34:21 (TLB)
There is an old story that tells about a pig. . . . The farmer brought the pig into the house. He gave him a bath, polished his hooves, put some Chanel No. 5 on him, put a ribbon around his neck, and put him in the living room. The pig looked fine. He made a nice and companionable pet for a few minutes. But as soon as the door was opened, the pig left the living room and jumped into the first mud puddle that he could find. Why? Because he was still a pig at heart. His nature had not been changed. He had changed outwardly but not inwardly. . . .

You can take a man—dress him up, put him in the front row in church, and he almost looks like a saint. He may fool even his best friends for a while, but then put him in his office, or in the club on Saturday night, and you will see his true nature come out again. Why does he act that way? Because his nature has not been changed. He has not been born again.
Prayer for the day

Almighty God, there are times when I debase my Christian walk and slip again into the mire. Cleanse and strengthen me, for Jesus' sake.

Today's Devotion-Bread of Life

By Billy Graham   •   October 26   •   Topics: Jesus Christ

I am the living bread that came down from heaven . . .
—John 6:51

In John 6:48 we read that Jesus said, “I am the bread of life.” Jesus had just fed 5,000 people with five loaves and two fishes. They were all excited and thrilled over the great miracle that had occurred, [but] Jesus was talking about something more important than social needs. Bread in the Scriptures is a symbol of spiritual life.

Man has an inborn hunger for God. He cannot be satisfied with anything less than God. God alone can supply the bread which satisfies the inner longing of your soul and the hunger of your heart. . . . The Bible says that He is the Bread of Life.
Prayer for the day

Lord Jesus, thank You for satisfying the yearnings deep down in my heart. Your presence fulfills the needs of my soul, and I rejoice. 

ASSURANCE OF ANSWERED PRAYER FOR EVERYONE

Special Study                                                                                      27/10/2014                                                                                                                                                                                                                                

ASSURANCE OF ANSWERED PRAYER FOR EVERYONE

Matthew 7:8-11

What a great privilege praying is. It is a privilege we have not studied, learnt or practised enough. Every believer and every preacher would do more good in life if he knew what Christ taught in this passage. It will do us a world of good to lay all excuses and speculative theories on prayer aside and take the words of Christ at face value. Christ, Himself, prayed and got supernatural answers like no other man before Him. And His teaching on prayer is higher than any man’s concept on prayer as the heavens are higher than the earth.

Our Lord and Saviour assures us of the absolute certainty of answers to our prayers. He, the Son of God, is the perfect Example for all the sons of God. He said, “Father, I thank Thee that thou hast heard me. And I knew that thou hearest me ALWAYS” (John

11:41,42). He prayed with absolute trust and peaceful confidence. His expectation was based on His relationship with the Father. That is the true basis for firm expectation in prayer - relationship with the heavenly Father. Sinners cannot have absolute certainty of receiving the children’s bread (John 9:31; Psalm 7:11). The goodness of God is to lead sinners to repentance (Romans 2:4). “God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). The first and only prayer a sinner can pray with absolute assurance is prayer of repentance, forgiveness and salvation in Christ. This makes him to be born again, truly born into the family of God. Now, with Christ as his Saviour and God as his Father, the promises of God to all members of His Family are also his. With the proper relationship with God, we can ask and receive whatever the Father has promised His own children.

1.    THE IMPARTIALITY OF GOD IN ANSWERING PRAYER

 

Matthew 7:8; Luke 11:10; Numbers 21:8,9; Acts 10:34,35,43; Romans 2:11; 10:11,12; Psalms 32:6,7; 65:2; Isaiah 55:1-3; James 1:5.

      

       Partiality is often found in the human family because of man’s sinful nature (Genesis 37:3; 25:28). Partiality, favouritism, preference, injustice and unfairness will always cause problems whether they are found in the human family or in the church family. God’s Word condemns partiality in clear terms and it is not to be allowed any manifestation in our families or in the Church (2 Chronicles 19:7; Proverbs 24:23; 28:21; James 2:1,9; Colossians 3:25; Ephesians 6:9). God’s perfection assures us of His impartiality (1 Peter 1:17).

      

       In His response to prayer, God is fair and impartial to all His children. “Every one that asketh receiveth.” God is more faithful and infinitely more just than any man that ever lived. After giving us a promise sometimes man in his earthly, sensual, devilish wisdom (James 3:15) may find reasons and arguments not to keep those promises - God is infinitely more righteous and impartial than man. Most parents, even non-Christian parents, because of natural love and affection will provide necessities of life for their children. “How MUCH MORE shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask Him?”

2        THE IMPOSSIBILITY OF GETTING ANTITHETIC ANSWERS IN PRAYER

       Matthew 7:9,10; Luke 11:11,12; Proverbs 25:21,22; Job 4:17; Psalms 85:12,13; 145:9,19; John 16:23,24; Deuteronomy 32:4; Psalm 103:1-5; James 1:16,17.

          Religious people have developed many theories on prayer. These theories are to excuse their unbelief so that they can give some comfort to those who fail to receive expected answers to prayer. Some of these “comforters” (Job 16:1-3) in an attempt to unravel the mysteries of life say that we may pray for something and God may give us the exact opposite - evil instead of good, sickness instead of health, poverty instead of wealth, defeat instead of victory, 

sorrow instead of joy, setback instead of progress, weakness instead of strength, oppression instead of deliverance, etc. Some Christians believe such theories so much that they resign to their fate and say, ‘Thy will be done’! They think they are resigning or submitting to the will of God when in reality they might be yielding, giving themselves up to the will of Satan. What would have happened if Jabez, Hannah, David (during the treachery and treason of Absalom), Esther, Hezekiah, Jochebed (the mother of Moses) or Jonah had believed such theory of prayer? Not only they themselves alone but their nation and the world would have suffered a great loss. Our Lord asks a series of questions with obvious answers. (1) “What man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone?” (Matthew 7:9). Will you? No. Are you better than God? (2) “Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? ” (Matthew 7:10). Will you? No. Are you more considerate than God? (3) “Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion?” (Luke 11:12). Will you? No. Are you more loving and compassionate than God? When you ask for something good from God, especially when it is something He has promised in His Word, He will give what is good and beneficial, not what is evil and injurious.

3.       INSIGHT INTO GOD’S AFFECTION FOR HIS PEOPLE

Matthew 7:11; Luke 11:13; Psalm 103:11-13; Isaiah 49:15,16; 1:2-4,15-18; 30:8-10,15,18; Romans 8:14-17; 1 John 2:12-17; 3:8-10,19-22; Luke 15:11-32.

          “If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, How MUCH MORE shall your Father which is in heaven give GOOD THINGS to them that ask Him? ” (Matthew 7:11). “HOW MUCH MORE shall your heavenly Father give THE HOLY SPIRIT to them that ask Him?” (Luke 11:13). “How much more?” By how much is God more loving, more compassionate, more benevolent, more faithful, more righteous, more gracious, more merciful than man? Infinitely more! God loves His children infinitely more than any 

human parent could possibly love his own offspring. No earthly parent would want their children to be wanting or to lack good things (morally, materially, spiritually) if he could prevent it. Earthly parents do their best to provide everything necessary to keep their children healthy, prosperous and happy. Will God do any less? Certainly not! God, in His infinite love, will do infinitely more for us than earthly parents could ever do.

*  *  *  *  *  *  *

Congregational Song:

TAKE TIME TO BE HOLY

1. Take time to be holy, speak oft with thy Lord;

    Abide in Him always, and feed on His Word;

    Make friends of God’s children help those who are weak;

    Forgetting in nothing, His blessing to seek.

2. Take time to be holy, the world rushes on;

    Spend much time in secret with Jesus alone-

    By looking to Jesus, like Him thou shalt be;

    Thy friends in thy conduct His likeness shall see.

3. Take time to be holy, let Him be thy Guide;

    And run not before Him, whatever betide;

    In joy or  in sorrow still follow thy Lord,

    And, looking to Jesus, still trust in His word.

4. Take time to be holy, be calm in thy soul;

    Each thought and each temper beneath His control:

    Thus led by His Spirit to fountains of love,

    Thou soon shalt be fitted for service above.